Diary from Omaha: Seminoles look to continue magical season at College World Series

Editor's Note: Mary Beth Buchanan - daughter of Florida State baseball coach Mike Martin and wife Carol - has graciously agreed to document the Seminoles' trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, for the Democrat. Mary Beth figures she has made a half-dozen trips to the CWS with her family - this is Martin's 17th appearance in the CWS at FSU. Mary Beth’s latest diary focuses on the emotion surrounding Wednesday's upcoming game against Texas Tech. It could be potentially Martin's final game as the Seminoles' coach.

The reality of it. … it is super scary to think about. The season just keeps going and going and now we’ve been slapped with the reality that tomorrow night (Wednesday) could be the last one (game) for Dad. We are hoping and praying we can extend it.

I don’t want it to end, and I know he doesn’t.

The mood (Monday night after the 2-0 loss to Michigan) was of disappointment. Dad said that pitcher (Tommy Henry) turned in a brilliant performance. I know the last few weeks we have been able to hit good pitching. I think we can beat Michigan if we have another chance at them.

Our favorite place after the game is the Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge. It’s like 50 feet from our hotel and we always sit at table 11. We went over there Monday night with some of our cousins and friends of my parents. Mom stayed in the room to wait on Dad. She wanted to cheer him up; she likes being there when he gets back.

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Florida State head coach Mike Martin, left, talks with former Wichita State head coach Gene Stephenson during practice for baseball's College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park, Friday, June 14, 2019, in Omaha, Neb. (Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald via AP) Ryan Soderlin, AP

Florida State head coach Mike Martin watches his team practice for baseball's College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park, Friday, June 14, 2019, in Omaha, Neb. (Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald via AP) Ryan Soderlin, AP

Mark Taylor, equipment manager for Arkansas, affixes a College World Series decal to a helmet during team practice at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 14, 2019. Arkansas opens the NCAA College World Series play Saturday night against Florida State, which will be trying to win retiring coach and NCAA all-time wins leader Mike Martin's first national championship in his 17 visits to Omaha. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Nati Harnik, AP

Florida State NCAA college baseball coach Mike Martin removes his cap at the start of a news conference at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 14, 2019. Florida State will be trying to win retiring coach and NCAA all-time wins leader Martin's first national championship in his 17 visits to Omaha, is playing Arkansas on Saturday in the College World Series. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Nati Harnik, AP

Florida State NCAA college baseball coach Mike Martin speaks during a news conference at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 14, 2019. Florida State will be trying to win retiring coach and NCAA all-time wins leader Martin's first national championship in his 17 visits to Omaha, is playing Arkansas on Saturday in the College World Series. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Nati Harnik, AP

FILE- In this June 13, 2019, file photo, the Arkansas NCAA college baseball team stands with other College World Series players and the Kansas City Royals, rear, during the national anthem at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. Arkansas opens College World Series play Saturday night against Florida State, which will be trying to win retiring coach and NCAA all-time wins leader Mike Martin's first national championship in his 17 visits to Omaha. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) Nati Harnik, AP

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Although the game was a disappointment, we won't let it affect us. It ain't over yet! The boys are visiting a children's hospital (Tuesday) and I think that will put things into perspective for them. Baseball's just a game - while there are sick children, some of whom are dying, in the hospital.

Each day here has been different.

Before Monday’s game (against Michigan), we met with boosters and friends at DJ’s Dugout. It has turned out to be a big meeting place for FSU fans. We sit in the skybox at the stadium (TD Ameritrade Park) and Monday night we were met by (former FSU athletics director) Randy and Becky Spetman. We haven’t see them in years, and they look exactly the same. One of the coolest things at TD Ameritrade Park Monday night was when the entire crowd did the wave in slow motion.

After the game, we rode back to the hotel in a pedicab – which I kept saying was a paddy wagon – that Trey Jones (FSU men’s golf coach) insisted we ride. He handed the driver a $20 and said have fun. He’s so sweet.

This is a funny story.

Dad had to do an ESPN interview on Sunday. When we went to his hotel room afterward, Lexi (Mary Beth’s daughter) saw him in his makeup and told him he looked good. But then she asked why he was not wearing his wrinkles! Dad's face was really smooth with the makeup on.

Mary Beth Buchanan, left, with daughter Lexi and mother Carol Martin in front of a banner of FSU's Mike Salvatore at the CWS at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.(Photo: Mary Beth Buchanan)

We’ve visited a lot of places downtown in the Old Market.

The streets are paved in brick with lots of good restaurants and shopping. We also went into an antique store called Imaginarium and it had toys from the 1930s to current ones. That was pretty cool. We also had ice cream at Ted and Wally’s. It’s the best ice cream, made in front of you, the old-fashion way with rock salt.

On Sunday, we attended a church that was built in 1888 and had a congregation of about a dozen people. The sermon was about having faith in the midst of doubt.